Orange skies and chaos: Massive dust storm halts life across eastern Iraq

Dubai: A massive dust storm blanketed eastern Iraq on Tuesday, turning the skies a deep orange and bringing daily life in several cities to a standstill.

The storm drastically reduced visibility, disrupted transportation, and prompted urgent travel advisories across the region.

The visibility collapse led Anbar and neighboring provinces to urge drivers to exercise extreme caution.

The Anbar Traffic Directorate issued a set of emergency guidelines, recommending reduced speeds, safe distances between vehicles, and a complete stop in safe zones when visibility dropped to near zero.

“Drivers must avoid using low-beam headlights and should turn on hazard lights if forced to stop,” the directorate advised in a public statement, warning of severe road risks due to the intense storm.

Environmental experts warn the country is facing a growing crisis. According to Green Iraq Observatory, a non-governmental organization focused on environmental issues, Iraq loses close to $1 million a day due to the cascading effects of dust storms, particularly in sectors such as health, agriculture, transportation, and public infrastructure.

The United Nations has placed Iraq among the five countries most vulnerable to climate change, citing intensifying desertification, declining rainfall, and worsening air quality.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE